Chapter 10
Chapter 10 of 17
nogod1215After nearly being killed by her husband, Hermione returns to Hogwarts. (Ultimately a SS/HG, but starts out a little different.)**NOW COMPLETE**
ReviewedDISCLAIMER::: Everything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I just love them so much I wanted to play with them a little.
Summary::: Hermione has lunch.
New Beginnings
Chapter Ten
Hermione sat up in bed and stretched, as memories of last night's ball brought a smile to her face. Climbing out of bed, she walked into the bathroom to get ready for her day. After a quick shower and twenty minutes wrestling with her tangled hair, she was just slipping her shoes on when she heard tapping at her window. She opened it to allow a large Barn owl into her rooms. The owl landed gracefully on the small nightstand beside her bed. Hermione eyed the bird with suspicion, but removed the roll of parchment from its leg anyway. When the bird did not take flight to leave, she assumed the letter required an immediate response, so she unrolled it and read.
Hermione,
Firstly, I would like to thank you again for a wonderful evening last night. Secondly, as something of an emergency has come up that will take me away from Hogwarts for most of the day, I am sorry to say that I must reschedule our lunch to dinner. If this is an inconvenience, please let me know. My owl will return your answer, to me, post haste. Would eight o'clock be acceptable to you? In my quarters as previously arranged.
Truly sorry,
Severus Snape
Potions Master
After reading the note, Hermione pulled a quill and parchment from the drawer of her nightstand and scribbled a quick note telling Severus that eight o'clock was fine, and that she hoped his emergency was nothing too severe. Tying the note to the owl's leg, she watched the owl take flight and disappear.
After closing the window, Hermione headed out of her rooms. Just as she was closing the portrait door, a hand touched her shoulder, and she jumped, spinning around, her wand in her hand.
"Whoa there, Hermione, it's just me," Harry said, his hands up in mock surrender. "No need to hex me, I mean no harm." There was a smile in his voice, even though his face was serious.
"Gods, Harry, you scared me to death. Do that again, and if I don't hex you into next week, Hogwarts will add another ghost to its residency," Hermione said, clutching a hand to her chest.
"I'm sorry. Draco suggested I come by to see if you wanted to have breakfast with us in our guest room. The Great Hall is very crowded, and we can talk more freely in private."
"Harry, that is a wonderful idea. It's Saturday, so I am not required to take my meals in the Hall. Let's go."
At this, Harry put his arm out, and she took hold of it as they made their way to the private guestroom that Minerva had provided him and Draco. Entering the room, Hermione was immediately picked up and spun around in the usual hug Draco liked to give her.
Laughing, Hermione protested, "Draco, I just saw you last night. Please, put me down."
Setting her on her feet, Draco replied, "I know, Hermione, but I don't get to see you very often, so when I do I have to make up for lost time."
"I understand, but spinning me around like that makes me feel like a little kid. I am a grown woman, Draco, and grown women do not get spun around in hugs," she said, half teasing him.
"Okay, Hermione. I will try to refrain from spinning you, but I will not give up the hugs."
Smiling at the interaction between his husband and his best friend, Harry said, "If I didn't know better, I would be jealous of you two."
"Now, Harry, you know that I would never try to steal Draco away from you. He is so not my type," Hermione said.
"Yeah, Harry, it seems our Hermione here has developed a thing for the tall, dark and Slytherin portion of the male species," Draco commented with a wink to Hermione, who was blushing.
"Speaking of Snape, let's all sit down, and you can tell us all about what is or isn't going on with you two," Harry said, motioning to the small dinning table on one side of the room.
The table was loaded with food, and as they sat down, they each filled a plate with the various offerings. Once everyone was comfortable, Harry looked up at Draco, and then over to Hermione.
"Spill it already, Hermione. What is going on with the two of you?" he asked.
"Nothing at all, really," she said.
"Then how did you come to be his date last night?" Draco asked.
Realizing she wasn't going to get out of telling them every last detail, she told them about Mr. Greyadder's potion and how she went to Severus about it. She told them about Mr. Berilo's charmed punch and about Severus walking her back to her rooms after the ball. She even blushed as she told them about the kiss and how he had asked her to lunch today. Then she told them about the owl this morning and the dinner rearrangement.
"Yes, the parents of one of his third year students were killed in some kind of Muggle attack while on holiday in India. It seems that the Muggle law enforcement wouldn't cooperate with the Ministry, and Severus had to take that poor Boden boy to identify the bodies," Draco informed her.
"That is awful! Mr. Boden is only thirteen years old. How can those Muggles expect him to be strong enough to look at his parents' dead bodies? I can't believe they would force him to do something like that," Hermione said indignantly, pushing her plate away. She was not hungry any longer.
"Well, as you know, Muggles aren't as smart as we magical folk," Draco teased her.
Before she could respond, there was a soft humming sound and Draco stood up.
"Damn, hold on a second, I will be right back," he said, fishing in the pocket of his robes and exiting the room.
Hermione looked after him, puzzled, and turned to look at Harry questioningly.
"The Ministry is calling him. Everyone in the Magical Law-Enforcement Department is required to carry a charmed Galleon, like the ones we used back in fifth year. If you press your Galleon and say someone's name, their corresponding Galleon hums. It is quite annoying when you don't want to be disturbed. If you have it on your person, and don't respond to it in time, it becomes a Portkey and takes you to whomever it is that is calling you. If not, it just gets louder and louder. Very annoying," Harry answered her unspoken question.
"Well, I should get royalties from the Ministry. It was I who invented them after all," she said, only half-serious.
Then, Draco came back into the room looking more than a little upset.
"It seems that there was a disturbance in Diagon Alley an hour ago, and they need help from my department. As Tonks is on holiday, I have to go."
"Will you be gone long? Should I wait here for you, or do you just want me to meet you at home later?" Harry asked.
"It will most likely take most of the day. You stay here and visit with Hermione. I will see you at home," Draco said, leaning down to kiss his husband good-bye. Turning to Hermione, his eyes shining, he said, "Why don't the two of you go into Hogsmeade for lunch? I am sure a little shopping therapy will help you get over having to push back your date with Severus." With that, he bent and kissed her gently on the forehead and left the room.
"I do need to go into town for some more ink and parchment. It would be nice to get out of the castle for awhile," Hermione said.
Nodding, Harry stood up and offered Hermione his hand. Taking it, she stood as well, and they headed out for a day of shopping and talking.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Harry and Hermione had been in Hogsmeade for more than two hours, but had visited only two shops. First they had gone into the general supplies shop, and Hermione had purchased the items she needed for grading and such. Then, Harry had dragged her into the Quidditch supply shop as he had always done when they were still in school. After browsing through every item in the shop, he purchased a new broom repair kit, and even Hermione made a purchase - a small button that she had laughed at when Harry had showed it to her. It was charmed to show a Snitch flying around being chased by a green snake and a red lion. The shop owner said that if a Gryffindor held it, the snake and lion would chase the Snitch forever, but if you were to give it to a Slytherin, then the lion would catch the Snitch, and it would flash red letters saying 'Gryffindors Rule, Slytherins Drool.' Hermione thought it would be a great joke gift for Severus.
After the Quidditch shop, Hermione thought they would go to the Three Broomsticks for lunch, but Harry had other plans. He grabbed her arm, dragged her to the robe shop and informed her she needed to buy something nice to wear for her dinner with Snape that night.
"Why, Harry? It's just an informal dinner," she protested.
"Didn't you say it was in his quarters? It sounds to me like he is trying to get you alone, Hermione. I think you should get something new to wear. Tease him a bit. You do like him, don't you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I like him, but I don't think I'm ready for anything serious. It's only been a few months since Ron and I split up. It's too soon."
"Hermione, I am not suggesting you sleep with the man tonight. Just let him know that you may be interested in it someday." Inwardly, Harry shivered at the thought of Snape actually having sex.
"Oh, okay, fine. One new set of robes, but nothing too over the top. Simple is better," she relented.
They spent the next hour picking out just the right shade of green robes to complement her eyes and hair. Harry asked her several times why she wanted green, but she insisted she had her reasons. Just before leaving, she saw an elegant silk shirt in a color she knew would suit Severus perfectly. Pulling it off the rack, she added it to her purchases, ignoring the odd look Harry gave her at buying a man's shirt.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Finishing their shopping, they finally headed for the Three Broomsticks for lunch. They sat at a corner table and chatted happily throughout their meal. Caught up in their conversation as they left the bar, neither of them noticed the small cloaked figure that exited behind them and followed them as they made their way back to the castle.
TBC
AN::: As always I would like to thank my fabulous betas, Pixie, Allison and Piper. I would also like to thank everyone who has left a review. In the next chapter, Severus and Hermione's date!
AN2::: IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE BEING ABUSED Physically,mentally, or emotionally you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799 SAFE (7233)
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for New Beginnings
237 Reviews | 5.8/10 Average
So sorry to read that you had to write this from real life experience. Nobody should have to go through anything like this. This story is so plausible it is frightening, and I guess we now know why. I hope writing this helped you and very glad to see you are not in that relationship anymore. Thanks for a compelling read and my thoughts go to you for love and healing for the rest of your life.
Wow! Great story! I wish this kind of thing happened in real life as well - where the abuser/rapist was given the harshest possible sentence and the woman was protected by all means necessary. I like your world in which that happens. Too much of the time of course, the judge gives out a useless restraining order or worse, doesn't believe the person making the charges and she gets killed by her abuser. I can't wait to finish this story. Thanks for writing it.
Very well written! Congratulations for having the courage to leave your ex! That takes a LOT of strength and determination to do, so kudos to you!
Missy/LovesRickman
ii do love when ron gets smacked down i have always felt JKR never shouldhave married ron and hermione!
Thank you so much. It's a great story and really well written. I had enjoyed it up to the point that you mentioned your personal experience. That knocked the wind out of me to be honest.
It's hard to believe how cruelly people can treat each other. Hope writing brings you some relief. x
Really liked the story, just one thing bothers me greatly. On your warnings list, you have BDSM listed, and nothing in your story is true BDSM. I would ask that you research what true BDSM is before trying to pass off rape and sickness as something that has nothing to do with it. Yes, BDSM is different than regular sex, but everything is consentual, no one is taken against their will and forced into acts they don't want to be in. There are numerous safety guildlines used in almost all places, and while, yes sometimes things happen, and someone gets hurt, its not rape, not anger or hate or violance in any way shape or form. BDSM gets a bad rep because of luntics that use it as an excuse to be sick and hurt others without their consent, and polute something that can be truely beautiful. And yes, there are a lot of things claiming to be BDSM, that are not really truely about the power exchange that happens in a BDSM relationship. So again, please consider researching BDSM and try to understand why rape and violance has nothing to do with healthy BDSM. Thank you for a wonderful story.
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
,Thank you for your comments in your review. I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but I kinda lost the password to this acct and it took me forever to find it again.As far as your concerns about me equating BDSM with rape, I would like to first say that No BDSM isnt rape when performed in its proper fashion. However, there are many people in the world who see tieing your girlfriend to the bed posts and have consentual sex with her as just as perverse as rape. I personally am not one of these people.Second, I am sure you have come across authors who over rate and over warn just to be on the safe side. This is what I have done. I would rather warn someone of BDSM to prepare them for something they might not be interested in then to not warn them for it and get blasted or even removed from the site by the mods.I am sorry you feel that I was demeaning a lifestyle and those who participate in it. I did not mean to offend, just to caution.Thank you,nogod1215 
Response from AlanaVawn (Reviewer)
Thank you for clearing that up. I understand over rating a story rather than underrating and getting the story pulled. I feel strongly about this, because I've been on both sides, raped and in the lifestyle. They couldn't be more different. It would mean the world to me and other if you would be willing to write a note at the bottom, disclaiming that what was written isn't bdsm, it's pure rape. This would again, mean alot to me and also clear up any possible confusion. :) Thank you again!Alanavawn
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
,I changed the warnings to not include the BDSM warning. If the mods want to contact me about it I will deal with it then.nogod1215
Response from AlanaVawn (Reviewer)
THANK YOU! I really appreciate that you did that! I didn't want to ask you to do that, simply because I understand why authors have to be careful about not reporting things, but that's so wonderful of you! Thank you!!!!! :)Alanavawn
A heartfelt Thank you or providing the DV Hotline here. Why not see if anyone around here knows the UK equivalent since we have so many from the Old Country as readers and autors here?
The description of Ron 'giving up' on a job and deiding to booze to make up for it sounds eerily like Marvolo and Morfans Gaunt. Hmmm. Did you pictue that while writing this?
That was a very intense story. Some aspects of the characterization were way off. I don't mean canon off, as in real life reactions off. However, looking beyond that, this was a very intense story.
And so we have reached the end. An excellent story, and painful. both you and I as well as billions of women and millions of men have been through abusive relationships.
Abuse is a sneaky thing and starts out like a small virus. It can be little things at first, Jealousy, extra overprotectiveness, OBSESSION with most, if not ALL aspects of ones life, then it progresses faster from there, usually manifesting in physical abuse. But dont forget! Abuse can be Physical, mental and emotional. Even spiritual (Think REV. JIM JONES) AND men, YES men can be victims too! It does not have to be your partner. It can be a friend, relative etc. Domestic Violence charges can be filed against ANYONE who has abused you in any way. One does not have to be involved in a sexual relationship or even living with the person. Once again the National Domestic Violence Hotline Toll-FREE number is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233). If you or someone you know are being abused or suspect that you or they are, CALL. Help is out there! PLEASE, take it from me and the author of this story's footnote. Remember if they are violent, especially extremely violent, like RON was in here, DO NOT CONFRONT THEM ALONE! It will incite more anger if you are threatining them with leaving or calling the police and could get you seriously hurt or (sorry to say) killed. Wait until you can slip away (but dont wait long!! I left when my EX husband passed out drunk and left that day. He woke up in jail with a lifetime restraining order from me. But mak3e sure once you are gone, you get a close support network of family friends etc. to check up on you until the person gives up or you know its finally over. Unfortunately, a piece of divorce paper and a restraining order did not stop a lady in my town from being shot in the head by her boyfriend. I apologize for being so blunt, but its necessary. Peace be with you.
IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE BEING ABUSED Physically,mentally, or emotionally you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799 SAFE (7233)
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
I have added this information to the author notes for each chapter... I hope it helps!nogod1215
Ummm, 8 wizards with 8 wands, most of them extremely skilled and they need Harry to trick the resident in #1 to buzz them into the flat? THEN they use the Alohomora to get into #3? Tsk, tsk. The shame! I'm kidding with you!
(figured I could use Ginny for Bill Cos the long hair and another set of redheads for Arthur and Charlie!
Once again the number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
Once again the number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
'The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE (7233)
The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
Once again, if you are being abused emotionally, mentally or PHYSICALLY, you DONT have to put up with it! There is help out there. The number to The National Domestic (and you dont have to be married or residing together for it to BE domestic violence, it could be your own mother in some cases!) Anyway The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1(800)799-SAFE or :(7233)
~The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-SAFE (7233The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-799-SAFE (7233)~I agree. Bill would be the best of the Weasels and he DID save her life a few times, and got his bro exiled, BUT it was about ten years too late, dontcha think? Anyone decent wouldnt watch that continue. I like this story because I know how it goes, but I have always had a couple of problems with it. First of all, it is waaaay too OOC for Hermione (even under threat of death, or misguided love) I would know I was abused by 2 different men, that she would have stayed with him after the second beating. Maybe even the first. Her persona is right I just dont find her sticking with Ron feasable. Maybe dull it down to a couple years instead of 10 and have it start out with mild abuse if you want to make the beginning situation more in character. 2. (okay I really have 3 problems:] ) HARRY would NEVER let her go through this for 10 years or even one. He would kidnap her himself just to 'play the hero' or kill Ron in her defense. 3. I DO NOT believe half of the Weasleys would have let this go on at all. Since you need Molly to be a bitch (in canon she would KILL her son herself!!) I understand, BUT Arthur, Bill, Charlie (whenever he's around) maybe the twins and surprisingly but DEFINATELY stick up his arse PERCY would have never let this go on. Percy is so to the letter of the law he would have 500 feet of parchment in notes to hand the minister and lock Ron up himself, just to get ahead!!! OK Im done picking at you. But I have something to say: *TO ALL WOMEN OUT THERE: IF YOU ARE BEING HIT, or called terrible names, or your mate doesnt like you to even go to the store SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP! THERE ARE PLENTY OF HOTLINES FOR BATTERED WOMEN, The number to The National Domestic Violence Hotline is Toll-FREE:1-800-799-SAFE (7233)~~YOU DONT HAVE TO UP AND CALL THE POLICE TO GET HELP, EVEN IF HE/SHE THREATENS TO KILL YOU. I have been there. Dont stay with an emotionak/mental abuser or anyone who hits you, in MY opinion the emotional abuse is worse. PLEASE get help.* AND REMEMBER: Emotional/mental abuse is STILL abuse, it just takes longer to heal from and statistically wont kill you, but I cut my wrists and a friend saved me 5 YEARS after I left the jerk!
Response from nogod1215 (Author of New Beginnings)
I know that canon Hermione would never put up with something like this, but using the Harry Potter characters was a therapeutic way for me to fight my own demons of spousal abuse.nogod1215
not to be a nettle in your side, cos it is semantics, so it does'nt matter: ME<------GRAMMAR FREAK! Hagrid always said 'yeh' when referring to one or more individuals. JK Rowling never had Hagrid use the old english (which I know you weren't meaning it that way, just making his garbled hackney accent) 'Ye'. There was always an 'H' on the end. Sorry Im a butthead, but the story is great, Ive read it once.
Glad to see that Ron got what he deserved.
Gosh, the things that Hermione has put up with, but I know that she is strong and that she will through it--at least I hope so.
I just knew that Ron had to the one to nab Hermione, and I cannot get over Molly helping her git of a son. Wonder chapter as always!
Another awesome chapter! I just knew that Bill was a good man, however, his brother, Ron... not so much.
